Molded Carpet or Regular Carpet

-
Joe Rodriguez

Joe Rodriguez

Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2016
Messages
15
Reaction score
3
Location
Longwood FL
I have a 1973 Plymouth Valiant. It has an automatic transmission. The floor of the car is pretty flat with the exception of the small transmission "hump". The carpet is pretty much toast and has to be replaced. Does anyone know if the car came with molded carpeting and or if it came with rolled carpet? Economically, it would be less expensive to put high(er) quality rolled carpet instead of the cheaper molded carpet. Any thoughts?
 
Molded. I think our floor pans are all pretty much the same, not as flat as you think. Even with molded it can be a challenge getting it to lay in nice. I used Trim Parts and happy with it.
 
Rolled is 2 pieces overlapped under the front seat(s). Top piece should have a finished edge. Molded is a single heat stamped piece.
 
Do they make a one piece for a-bodies? I only recall seeing the 2-piece. I thought OP was talking about carpet off a roll like for your house. My Duster carpet is 2 piece with finished edge at the overlap, but is heat molded and has the backing pads under all foot areas and rubber heel mat at driver. I did a Nova with roll carpet from a carpet store a very long time ago. Don't recall if that floor was any flatter than the Duster. Results were not terrible, but not even close to getting one fit for the car. I think you will pay more in aggravation than you save in $.
 
zkx14 said:
Do they make a one piece for a-bodies? I only recall seeing the 2-piece. I thought OP was talking about carpet off a roll like for your house. My Duster carpet is 2 piece with finished edge at the overlap, but is heat molded and has the backing pads under all foot areas and rubber heel mat at driver. I did a Nova with roll carpet from a carpet store a very long time ago. Don't recall if that floor was any flatter than the Duster. Results were not terrible, but not even close to getting one fit for the car. I think you will pay more in aggravation than you save in $.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I am now leaning towards molded. I also have not seen a one piece molded but it's probably for the best....with shipping and trying to fit it to the car. I wonder if having the backing pad is going disagree with the heat resistand and sound dampening sheet I plan to lay down before the carpeting?
 
Joe Rodriguez said:
Thanks, I am now leaning towards molded. I also have not seen a one piece molded but it's probably for the best....with shipping and trying to fit it to the car. I wonder if having the backing pad is going disagree with the heat resistant and sound dampening sheet I plan to lay down before the carpeting?
Click to expand...
 
Joe Rodriguez said:
Thanks, I am now leaning towards molded. I also have not seen a one piece molded but it's probably for the best....with shipping and trying to fit it to the car. I wonder if having the backing pad is going disagree with the heat resistand and sound dampening sheet I plan to lay down before the carpeting?
Click to expand...
They fold it up and cram it in a box regardless. Not ridged/molded like a piece of plastic I didn't add another layer, but don't see why it would matter. Most of that stuff is not very thick and even the molded is not that precise. You need to let it sit in the car and warm up or use a heat gun to get it shaped in.
 
zkx14 said:
Do they make a one piece for a-bodies?
Click to expand...
Yes sir. I have 1 piece molded floor carpet from Trim Parts. Black installed in the 67 notch and medium red for the vert.
 
Joe Rodriguez said:
I have a 1973 Plymouth Valiant. It has an automatic transmission. The floor of the car is pretty flat with the exception of the small transmission "hump". The carpet is pretty much toast and has to be replaced. Does anyone know if the car came with molded carpeting and or if it came with rolled carpet? Economically, it would be less expensive to put high(er) quality rolled carpet instead of the cheaper molded carpet. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Molded is the better way to go IMO. I have seen a few 1 piece setups for a 67 Lincoln Contenintal so I would "assume" they can do it for your vehicle, just ask. my 66 dart was a 2 piece, I get mine from ACC or Stockinteriors (I prefer ACC, just because my boss uses then for his 60-70's Lincoln carpet sets that he makes, I have to cut them out and he sews em up) and it's made from the 600 series of carpet. You can get mass backing to make it look stiffer,firmer or "fuller" but it's still 600 loop series carpet thread/loop count and since I already have a sound deadener on my floor i did not need or want the mass backing . On my next set I'm going to ask about the ACC 509 loop series and see if they will do it for me. it is a much better grade of carpet with a longer life, a softer rayon/nylon blend vs the 600 series 100% nylon . Both types will fade in direct sunlight just the rayon/nylon will do it slower and give a bit better look and feel. if you need cut pile then it's a different style number, I think it's called Essex, but I'd call and ask them to see if they can use the better carpet. yes it is more $$ for the better carpet. I ordered extra loop in the 509 series for my convertible side panels and am eagerly waiting on the carpet to show up so I can do my side panels. I can then show the difference from 600 series to the 509 series
 
Last edited:
Joe Rodriguez said:
Was the Trim Part carpeting good quality?
Click to expand...
correct for my 67 is 60/40 loop. I'm pretty sure a 73 had cut pile ( my 73 4 door Valiant did ).
What I can say... I liked the black for my notch enough to go ahead and buy the same in red for the vert. It was well made. The backing/padding was di cut for easy removal of those small portions that would conflict with console, seat tracks, etc... The install was too easy. Since the car is rarely driven and high quality rubber mats are protecting those high wear areas, this carpet will probably last my lifetime. In a daily driver, or without mats., I can't testify.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top